The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8: investigating its cutoff scores in relevance to loneliness and burnout among dementia family caregivers

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: June 6, 2024

Abstract The global trend of advanced aging comes at the cost amplified onset age-related diseases. Dementia is a common multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder, which manifests with progressive declines in cognitive functioning and ability to perform activities daily living. As polices discourage institutionalized care, family members act as primary caregivers endure increased vulnerability physical mental health problems secondary care-related changes life routine relationships. Targeting clinically significant distress earlier stages through valid brief measures may promote caregivers’ wellbeing dementia care continuity/quality. This study aimed determine optimal cutoff score Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8-items (DASS-8) convenience sample 571 European (Mean age = 53 ± 12 years, Italian 74.4%, Swiss 25.6%) three methods. K-means clustering classified into high- low-distress clusters based on DASS-8 19. Receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis using 48 7 cutoffs Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) Three-Item University California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale-version 3 (UCLALS3), revealed two (12.5 14.5, area under (AUC) 0.85 0.92, p values < .001, 95% CI 0.82–0.88 0.89 0.94, sensitivity 0.81 0.78, specificity 0.76 0.89, Youden index 0.57 0.67, respectively). Decision modeling produced (9.5 14.5) for predicting low high caregiving burden loneliness, respectively. According median all (14.5) prevalence was 50.8%. Distress correlated key such burnout loneliness—in path analysis, scores were predicted by ZBI, UCLALS3, dependency, receiving help especially among older, female, spouse caregivers. Further diagnostic workup should follow confirm psycho-pathogenicity above 14.5. Investigations other countries/populations validity this score.

Language: Английский

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Telepresence Robots in Long-Term Care Settings in British Columbia During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analyzing the Experiences of Residents and Family Members

Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Telepresence robots are being increasingly used in long-term care (LTC) homes for virtual visits between families and residents. This study investigated the impacts experiences of residents their using a telepresence robot (Double 3) 4 to 12 months during COVID-19 pandemic. A total 51 participants were recruited through purposive sampling, including 9 residents, 15 family members, 27 staff from LTC British Columbia, Canada. Conversational interviews conducted with members. Focus groups one-to-one held frontline staff. Thematic analysis was performed, five themes identified: (1) Stay connected, (2) Regain autonomy, (3) Relieve caregiver burden, (4) Environmental technical issues, (5) Scheduling concerns. In conclusion, helped maintain social connections families, despite restrictions.

Language: Английский

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Psychometric evaluation of the depression anxiety stress scale 8-items (DASS-8)/DASS-12/DASS-21 among family caregivers of patients with dementia

Frontiers in Public Health, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: Oct. 25, 2022

Patients with dementia express a set of problematic and deteriorating symptoms, along self-care dependency. Over time, the mental health family caregivers persons may be affected, putting them at high risk for psychopathology, which associated endangered wellbeing people dementia. This cross-sectional instrumental design study examined psychometric properties Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8-items (DASS-8), DASS-12, DASS-21 in convenient sample 571 from northern Italy southern Switzerland (mean age = 53 years, SD 12, range 24–89 years). A bifactor structure three measures had best fit; some items DASS-12/DASS-21 failed to load on their domain-specific factors. The three-factor was invariant across various groups (e.g., gender education), expressed adequate reliability convergent validity, strong positive correlation three-item UCLA Loneliness (UCLALS3). Distress scores did not differ among carers different types (Alzheimer's disease vs. other types, e.g., vascular dementia). However, distress were significantly female individuals, adult children caregivers, those caring dependent patients, who received help care. For 54.9 38.8% latter, care provided by relatives professionals, respectively. Since DASS-8 expresses psychometrics comparable DASS-21, it used as brief measure this population.

Language: Английский

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Burden and quality of life of family caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease patients: the role of forgiveness as a coping strategy

Aging & Mental Health, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 28(7), P. 1003 - 1010

Published: Feb. 29, 2024

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the variables that were associated, contributed and moderated quality of life (QoL) burden in family caregivers.

Language: Английский

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Effect of COVID-19 Related Social Isolation on Cognitive Decline in Neurocognitive Disorder Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Neurology India, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 73(1), P. 10 - 16

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

The COVID-19 lockdown placed individuals at significant risk of social isolation. Particularly, older people were more vulnerable to the deleterious effects on mental and physical health caused by pandemic quarantine, in which confinement was associated with aggravated cognitive function among adults. Correspondingly, it concerns repercussions patients dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) during pandemic. This study aimed assess hypothesis that might cause decline due isolation assessing changes Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores between pre post-pandemic era. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library for eligible studies from inception April 2023. included reporting MMSE MCI one year prior beginning after lockdown. Standardized mean differences (SMD) 95% confidence intervals (CI) pooled a random-effects model. Among 4,160 studies, twelve included, comprising 4,096 MCI. Patients exhibited compared pre-pandemic levels (SMD = 0.341, P < 0.001). Similarly, demonstrated an 0.315, 0.015). Sub-analyses types also indicated lockdown, 12-month follow-up revealed patients. During there overall amongst those when parameters.

Language: Английский

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Loneliness among dementia caregivers: evaluation of the psychometric properties and cutoff score of the Three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale

Frontiers in Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16

Published: April 7, 2025

Dementia is a chronic progressive syndrome, with an entire loss of function in the late stages. The care this demanding condition primarily provided by family members, who often suffer from burnout, distress, and loneliness. This instrumental study aimed to examine factor structure, reliability, convergent validity, criterion cutoff scores short loneliness measure: Three-Item version University California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale (UCLALS3) convenience sample dementia caregivers (N = 571, mean age 53 ±12 years, 81.6% females). Exploratory confirmatory analyses were used structure UCLALS3 while receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve, including caregiving burden emotional distress as outcomes, was its cutoff. One accounted for 79.0% variance UCLALS3; it perfectly invariant across genders but variant at metric level countries. scale had adequate internal consistency (alpha 0.87), high item-total correlations (0.69 - 0.79), reduced alpha if item deleted (0.77 0.86), strong positive psychological (r 0.57 & 0.74, p values 0.01). Percentile ROC curve suggested two cutoffs (≥6 ≥6.5), which classified 59.3 59.4% participants having higher levels loneliness-comparable global among informal caregivers. Mann-Whitney test revealed significantly scoring ≥6.5 on UCLALS3. valid scale; may flag major clinically relevant symptoms caregivers, highlighting need tailored interventions that boost caregivers' individual perception social relationships. More investigations are needed confirm invariance

Language: Английский

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Post-diagnostic support in Australia: Perspectives of people recently diagnosed with dementia and their carers

Dementia, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 14, 2025

Introduction: Timely post-diagnostic support is necessary to help people with dementia and those who provide care adapt the diagnosis optimise independence quality of life. However, evidence from carers regarding they need scarce. Aim: To explore perspectives their had been offered, barriers facilitators accessing such support, viewed as desirable or ideal. Method: This was a cross-sectional qualitative exploratory study. Data were collected individual interviews 13 recently diagnosed at nine Australian memory clinics 17 carers. Interviews conducted between September 2021 October 2022. Reflexive thematic analysis used examine participants’ comments under four topics: Current Care Support, Barriers, Facilitators, Desirable Support. Results: Support: Four themes emerged: Communication empathy; Written information valuable but could be overwhelming; Referrals provided not necessarily followed; A focus on prescribed anti-dementia medications. Under topic three derived: Dementia stigma restricts life after diagnosis; Disapointment in Health Aged systems; Limited insight into and/or difficulty expressing own needs. focused Support family friends crucial. single person guiding ongoing support; driving concerns; Engaging tailored information. Conclusion: Perspectives identified ensure that addressed needs, clear, involved reduce facilitate access. The importance guidance by trusted professional considered key facilitating more effective care.

Language: Английский

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Prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depression in caregivers to assisted living residents during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

BMC Geriatrics, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 22(1)

Published: Aug. 12, 2022

Abstract Background Family and friend caregivers play significant roles in advocating for ensuring quality health social care of residents Assisted Living (AL) homes. However, little is known about how the COVID-19 pandemic related visitor restrictions affected their mental well-being. We examined prevalence correlates anxiety depressive symptoms among AL during initial wave two Canadian provinces. Methods A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted family/friend Alberta British Columbia (Oct 28, 2020—Mar 31, 2021) to collect data on sociodemographic, caregiving characteristics, as well concerns residents’ before first pandemic. clinically disorder were assessed with GAD-7 CES-D10 instruments, respectively. Separate multivariable (modified) Poisson regression models identified caregiver each condition. Results Among 673 completing (81% residents), most women (77%), white (90%) aged ≥ 55 years (81%). Clinically depression present 28.6% 38.8% Both personal stressors (comorbidity level, income reduction, low support) exacerbated by independently associated depression. The latter included increased concern recipients’ (adjusted risk ratio [adjRR] = 1.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–2.85 adjRR 1.75, CI 1.26–2.44 symptoms) reported intention withdraw resident from because (adjRR 1.24, 95%CI 0.95–1.63 1.37, 1.13–1.67 symptoms). Conclusions Caregivers homes caregiving-related that an likelihood experiencing symptoms. Healthcare providers staff should be aware varied caregivers’ public crises so appropriate screening support may implemented.

Language: Английский

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Loneliness and social isolation among informal carers of individuals with dementia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(5)

Published: May 1, 2024

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of loneliness social isolation among informal carers individuals with dementia identify potential influencing factors.

Language: Английский

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Project VITAL at Home: Impact of Technology on Loneliness and Well-Being of Family Caregivers of People with Dementia

Clinical Gerontologist, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 47(1), P. 149 - 160

Published: Sept. 16, 2022

Project VITAL At Home aimed to combat social isolation and loneliness in family caregivers of people with dementia through purposeful engagement connection. This project examined the effects technology on caregiver well-being, as well their experiences, during COVID-19 pandemic.

Language: Английский

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